Golf divot tool bearing a ball marker

Abstract

A golf divot repair tool that includes a holder for markers used in marking the position of golf balls on the golf course is disclosed. The golf divot repair tool comprises: a body, at least one pointed arm extending from the body, a depression in the body, a magnetic material disposed in the depression, a ball marker constructed at least partially of a material attracted by magnetism and adapted to be releasably held in the depression by the magnetic material, and an opening formed through the body at the depression. Optionally, a movable member is disposed in the opening which, when moved, moves the ball marker, when the ball marker is held in the depression, away from the magnetic material a sufficient distance to release the ball marker from the depression. The ball marker is flat and carries advertising or other indicia on at least one of its surfaces. Various alternatives are disclosed for inserting and retaining the ball marker in the divot tool.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/628,329 filed on Jul. 29, 2003 for a Golf Divot Tool Bearing a Magnetic Ball Marker.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a multi-functional device for use in the game of golf. In particular, this invention relates to a golf divot repair tool that also holds a marker used in marking the position of golf balls on the golf course.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a golfer heads for the golf course, the golfer needs several items. First, the golfer needs a golf divot repair tool to repair the sod when it is disturbed during play. Divot repair tools are provided with pointed ends to stick down into the sod in order to lift the sod.

Second, a golfer needs a ball marker, and an accompanying holder, during the play of golf. Conventional marker holders can removably receive a ball marker, which is most often magnetically attached to a depression in the holder.

In the prior art, magnetic marker holders provide a depression to removably receive a ball marker. The marker is held in place by a magnet located at a first end of the depression. The magnet would correspond to a first end of the marker. To remove the marker, a second end of the marker is depressed, which rocks the marker off the magnet, and detaches the marker from the holder.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,683 issued to Tate on Mar. 22, 2004 and entitled Golf Divot Tool with Ball Marker discloses a divot tool with a ball marker which comprises an annular disk of magnetic material with a post projecting therefrom. The post extends through an opening in the magnetic material so that when the ball marker is to be ejected from the seat, the post is pressed to push the shield out of the recessed ball marker seat in the body.

Another example of a golf divot tool is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,322 issued on Mar. 7, 2000 to England. This device shows a ball marker for repairing divots which uses a ball marker which comprises an annular disk with a protruding stem which is retained within a slot. Cope discloses in U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,039 which issued on May 27, 2003, a golf ball position marking assembly which also discloses the use of a circular disk with a post extending therefrom as the ball marker.

All of these prior art devices show the use of an annular disk with a post or stem protruding therefrom. These prior art devices are based on the theory that the ball market must extend inwardly into the turf to secure it in place to prevent it from being dislodged from the green where it is used. As such, all of the devices use the stem or post to remove the ball marker from the divot tool.

Also, by using the stem or post, this prevents advertising material and the like from being displayed on both sides of the ball marker. It also requires the ball marker to be used in only one orientation, that is, with the post or stem extending downwardly into the turf. A third drawback of the prior art devices is that the mechanism does not retain or adequately secure the marker to the holder. It is common in these devices for the marker to unintentionally detach from the holder and become lost.

Accordingly, there is a need for a multi-functional golf device that provides a divot repair tool and an improved ball marker and ball marker holder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. Also, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved divot repair tool that includes an improved holding means for a ball marker.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved divot repair tool that includes an improved holding means for a ball marker wherein the ball marker is flat on both sides and is adapted to receive indicia or other advertising on at least one or on both sides of the ball marker.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved divot repair tool that includes an improved holding means for a ball marker wherein the ball marker is flat on both sides and is adapted to receive indicia and other advertising on both sides of the ball marker.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved golf divot repair tool wherein the ball marker is releasably secured to the golf divot repair tool by means of a spring.

Accordingly, one aspect of the invention resides in a golf divot repair tool comprising: a body, at least one pointed arm extending from said body, a depression in said body, a magnetic material disposed in said depression, a ball marker constructed at least partially of a material attracted by magnetism and adapted to be releasably held in said depression by said magnetic material, and an opening formed through said body at said depression, said opening being of sufficient size to allow a finger to be inserted through said opening to push said ball marker away from the magnetic material a sufficient distance to release the ball marker from the depression.

In another aspect of the invention, said opening is circular and has a diameter of from 5 to 40 mm.

In a further aspect, the invention resides in a golf divot repair tool comprising: a body, at least one pointed arm extending from said body, a depression in said body, a magnetic material disposed in said depression, a ball marker constructed at least partially of a material attracted by magnetism and adapted to be releasably held in said depression by said magnetic material, an opening formed through said body at said depression, and a movable member disposed in said opening which, when moved, moves the ball marker, when the ball marker is held in the depression, away from the magnetic material a sufficient distance to release the ball marker from the depression, said opening being of sufficient size to allow a finger to be inserted through said opening to push said movable member to move said ball marker away from the magnetic material a sufficient distance to release the ball marker from the depression.

In yet another aspect of the invention, said magnetic material comprises at least two magnets circumferentially spaced about the depression.

In another aspect of the invention, said magnetic material is an annular magnet centered about the depression.

In yet a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an improved golf divot repair tool comprising a body, at least one pointed arm extending from said body, an opening for and through said body, said opening being formed by a pair of inwardly curved flanges, a spring disposed within said opening, a ball marker adapted to be inserted between said flanges and releasably secured thereto by means of said spring.

In yet another of its aspects, the invention provides an improved golf repair divot tool comprising a body, at least one pointed arm extending from said body, a depression in said body, a magnetic material disposed in said depression, a ball marker constructed at least partially of a material attracted by magnetism and adapted to be releasably held in said depression by segmented material, and an opening for and through said body of said depression, wherein said ball marker is flat on both surfaces and carries advertising or other indicia on at least one of said surfaces.

In another of its aspects, the invention provides an improved golf repair divot tool comprising a body, at least one pointed arm extending from said body, a depression in said body, a slot in the upper front part of said body, a ball marker adapted to be inserted through said slot and adapted to be releasably secured in said depression, said ball marker being flat and carrying indicia or advertising on at least one side of the ball marker.

In still yet another of its aspects, the invention provides a golf divot repair tool comprising a body, at least one pointed arm extending from said body, a depression in said body, a magnetic material disposed in said depression, a slot in the upper part of said body, a ball marker constructed at least partially of a material attracted by magnetism and adapted to be releasably held in said depression by said magnetic material, a slot in the upper front part of said body, a ball marker adapted to be inserted through said slot and adapted to be releasably secured in said depression by said magnetic material, said ball marker being flat on both surfaces and carrying advertising or other indicia on at least one of said surfaces.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an improved golf divot repair tool comprising a body, at least one pointed arm extending from said body, an opening through said body, a slot in the upper front part of said body, a spring disposed within said opening, a ball marker adapted to be inserted through said slot and releasably secured thereto by means of said spring, said ball marker being flat on both surfaces and carrying advertising or other indicia on at least one of said surfaces.

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and drawings which illustrate the invention and preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the tool;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the marker;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tool and marker; and

FIG. 4 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the tool.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the tool of the present invention showing the movable member.

FIG. 6 are three views of a further embodiment of the golf divot tool of the present invention, wherein:

FIG. 6a is an assembled view;

FIG. 6b is a view with the ball marker partially removed; and

FIG. 6c is a view showing the ball marker completely removed and separated from said tool.

FIG. 7a is a front view of a further embodiment of the tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7b is a rear view of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c are front and rear views of a further embodiment of the tool of the present application with FIG. 8c showing the tool with the ball marker removed therefrom.

FIG. 9 are three views of a further embodiment of the golf divot tool of the present invention wherein FIG. 9a is an assembled view; FIG. 9b is a view with the ball marker partially removed; and FIG. 9c is a view showing the ball marker completely removed and separated from said tool.

FIG. 10 are three views of a further embodiment of the golf divot tool of the present invention wherein FIG. 10a is an assembled view; FIG. 10b is a view with the ball marker partially removed; and FIG. 10c is a view showing the ball marker completely removed and separated from said tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The golf divot repair tool of this invention is shown generally in the figures by the reference numeral 10. The tool 10 includes two arms 16 extending from the main body of the tool 10. The arms 16 are pointed or sharpened at their extremities for ease of insertion into sod of the golf green.

As shown in FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the golf divot repair tool 10 includes a depression 12, which is preferably generally circular in shape. Magnetic material is disposed in the depression 12. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic material is shown as comprising four magnets 20 circumferentially spaced about the depression 12.

FIG. 2 shows the corresponding ball marker 14. The ball marker 14 is constructed at least partially of a material attracted by magnetism. The marker 14 complementally fits depression 12, such that the marker 14 is releasably held in the depression 12 by the magnetic material.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, an opening 22 is formed through the body of the tool 10, at the depression 12. The opening 22 allows an exposed surface of the marker 14 to be pushed, by a finger for example, such that the ball marker 14 may be moved. When the ball marker 14 is held in the depression 12, it may be moved or pushed away from the magnetic material a sufficient distance to release the ball marker 14 from the depression 14. This allows easy removal of the marker 14 from the tool for use in the play of golf. After use, the marker 14 may be placed at the depression 12 to be held in place by the magnetic material once again.

The opening is preferably circular, and may have a diameter in the range of from 5 to 40 mm.

It will be readily understood by one skilled in the art that the number of magnets 20 disposed about the depression 12 is not essential, as one or more magnets 20 may be provided to hold the marker 14 on more than one end. FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the invention, wherein the magnetic material comprises one magnet 24 of annular shape, centered about the depression 12.

In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a movable member 30 may be disposed in the opening 22. When the movable member is moved or pushed while the ball marker 14 is held in the depression 12, the member moves the ball marker 14 away from the magnetic material a sufficient distance to release the ball marker 14 from the depression 12.

Accordingly, it can be seen that an improved divot repair tool 10 is provided, which includes an improved means of holding a ball marker 14 with easy removal of the ball marker 14.

Another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6a to FIG. 6c. In this embodiment, the upper body 52 of the tool 10 comprises a pair of inwardly curved flanges 54, 54, a spring 56 nested between said arms (see FIG. 6b) and a ball marker 14. To remove the ball marker 14, it is raised upwardly expanding the spring 56 outwardly which allows the ball market 14 to be removed through the space 58 between the flanges 54.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7a and 7b, the arms 16 (with reference to FIG. 1) have been replaced by hook 60 and as shown in FIG. 7b, the upper rear 62 of the body has a small aperture 64 therethrough through which is inserted hook 66 which is attached to a belt link 68.

FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c illustrate a further embodiment wherein the body includes a hook portion 72 which can be used to attach the tool to a belt (not shown).

FIG. 9 represents a further embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9a, the ball marker 14 is inserted through slot 70. In this embodiment, inwardly curved flanges 54, 54 terminate at a distance disposed from each other thereby creating space 58 between the flanges 54. The body is continuous at the rear portion thereof forming rear part 70. In this embodiment, ball marker 14 is inserted through space 58 between flanges 54 as shown in FIG. 9b. Ball marker 14 is held in the depression 12 by magnetic 24 of annular shape centred about the depression 12.

A further embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c wherein the ball marker 14 is inserted through space 58 between the flanges 54. In this embodiment, spring 56 nests between the arms as illustrated in FIGS. 6a to 6c.

It will be understood that, although various features of the invention have been described with respect to one or another of the embodiments of the invention, the various features and embodiments of the invention may be combined or used in conjunction with other features and embodiments of the invention as described and illustrated herein.

As can be seen from the embodiments of the present invention, the ball marker 14 carries advertising or other indicia on both sides of it thus providing a distinct advantage over the prior art devices. Since the ball mark may be placed in either direction in the depression, advertising on both sides can be easily seen by the user.

Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to these particular embodiments. Rather, the invention includes all embodiments which are functional, electrical or mechanical equivalents of the specific embodiments and features that have been described and illustrated herein.

Claims

1. A golf divot repair tool comprising:

a body,

at least one pointed arm extending from said body,

a depression in said body,

a magnetic material disposed in said depression,

a ball marker constructed at least partially of a material attracted by magnetism and adapted to be releasably held in said depression by said magnetic material, and

an opening formed through said body at said depression, said opening being of sufficient size to allow a finger to be inserted through said opening to push said ball marker away from the magnetic material a sufficient distance to release the ball marker from the depression.

2. The golf divot repair tool of claim 1, wherein said opening is circular and has a diameter in the range of from 5 to 40 mm.

3. A golf divot repair tool comprising:

a body,

at least one pointed arm extending from said body,

a depression in said body,

a magnetic material disposed in said depression,

a ball marker constructed at least partially of a material attracted by magnetism and adapted to be releasably held in said depression by said magnetic material,

an opening formed through said body at said depression, and

a movable member disposed in said opening which, when moved, moves the ball marker, when the ball marker is held in the depression, away from the magnetic material a sufficient distance to release the ball marker from the depression, said opening being of sufficient size to allow a finger to be inserted through said opening to push said movable member to move said ball marker away from the magnetic material a sufficient distance to release the ball marker from the depression.

4. The golf divot repair tool of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said magnetic material comprises at least two magnets circumferentially spaced about the depression.

5. The golf divot repair tool of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said magnetic material is an annular magnet centered about the depression.

6. A golf divot repair tool comprising:

a body,

at least one pointed arm extending from said body,

an opening through said body, said opening being formed by a pair of inwardly curved flanges,

a spring disposed within said opening,

a ball marker adapted to be inserted between said flanges and releasably secured thereto by means of said spring.

7. A golf divot repair tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ball marker is flat on both surfaces and carries advertising or other indicia on at least one of said surfaces.

8. A golf divot repair tool as claimed in claim 3 wherein said ball marker is flat on both surfaces and carries advertising or other indicia on at least one of said surface.

9. A golf divot repair tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein said ball marker is flat on both surfaces and carries advertising or other indicia on at least one of said surface.

10. A golf divot repair tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ball marker is flat on both surfaces and carries advertising or other indicia on both surfaces thereof.

11. A golf divot repair tool as claimed in claim 3 wherein said ball marker is flat on both surfaces and carries advertising or other indicia on both surfaces thereof.

12. A golf divot repair tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein said ball marker is flat on both surfaces and carries advertising or other indicia on both surfaces thereof.

13. A golf divot repair tool comprising:

a body,

at least one pointed arm extending from said body,

an opening through said body, said opening being formed by a pair of inwardly curved flanges, the forward part of said flanges appearing cut away forming a slot therebetween and the rear part of said flanges appearing contiguous with each other,

a spring disposed within said opening,

a ball marker adapted to be inserted between said slot between said flanges and releasably secured thereto by means of said spring.

14. A golf divot repair tool comprising:

a body,

at least one pointed arm extending from said body,

a depression in said body,

a magnetic material disposed in said depression,

a ball marker constructed at least partially of a material attracted by magnetism and adapted to be releasably held in said depression by said magnetic material,

an opening through said body, said opening being formed by a pair of inwardly curved flanges, the forward part of which is cut away forming a slot therebetween, the rearward portion of which is continuous,

a ball marker, said ball marker adapted to be inserted through said slot between said flanges.

15. A golf divot repair tool comprising:

a body,

at least one pointed arm extending from said body,

an opening through said body, said opening being formed by a pair of inwardly curved flanges, the forward part of said flanges appearing cut away forming a slot therebetween and the rear part of said flanges appearing contiguous with each other,

a spring disposed within said opening,

a ball marker adapted to be inserted between said slot between said flanges and releasably secured thereto by means of said spring, wherein said ball marker is flat on both surfaces and carries advertising or other indicia on both sides of said surfaces.

16. A golf divot repair tool comprising:

a body,

at least one pointed arm extending from said body,

a depression in said body,

a magnetic material disposed in said depression,

a ball marker constructed at least partially of a material attracted by magnetism and adapted to be releasably held in said depression by said magnetic material,

an opening through said body, said opening being formed by a pair of inwardly curved flanges, the forward part of which is cut away forming a slot therebetween, the rearward portion of which is continuous,

a ball marker, said ball marker adapted to be inserted through said slot between said flanges, wherein said ball marker is flat on both surfaces and carries advertising or other indicia on both sides of said surfaces.